Jalapeno poppers are addictive! An easy keto recipe, the combination of jalapenos, bacon and smoked cheddar is amazing.
Jalapeno poppers are one of my favorite keto snacks. The combination of the smoky bacon, the spicy jalapenos, and the melty gooey cheesy filling is so good.. And the added bonus: jalapenos are very healthy!
In this easy version, the jalapenos are stuffed with smoked cheddar, wrapped in bacon, and baked into melty perfection. It’s a truly easy recipe. Baking is so much easier than deep frying. And obviously, it’s healthier too.
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need four ingredients to make this tasty appetizer:
- Olive oil spray
- Smoked cheddar
- Jalapeño peppers
- Bacon
How to make jalapeno poppers
It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
- Start by cutting the jalapenos in half lengthwise and seeding them.
- Stuff the jalapeño halves with cheddar pieces.
- Wrap the bacon pieces around the jalapeños.
- Arrange the jalapeños on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
- Spray the jalapeños with olive oil and bake about 25 minutes at 400°F.
I like to stuff the jalapenos with smoked cheddar. The smoked cheese adds a layer of really interesting flavor to this dish. But regular sharp cheddar would work too, as would smoked gouda.
Are jalapeno poppers spicy?
An addictive snack, these poppers are indeed quite spicy, so should only be served to those who like and can handle spicy foods.
How to serve them
Traditionally served as an appetizer or a party snack, I sometimes make them as a side dish. They go really well with cheese stuffed meatballs, and I can bake both in the same 400-degree oven.
What about leftovers?
I never really have leftovers when I make this tasty dish! But leftovers should keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. You can gently reheat them in the microwave on 50% power. Or heat them up in a 350F oven for 10 minutes or so.
But bacon is unhealthy?
These jalapeno poppers are wrapped in bacon. And processed meats, including bacon, have been linked to disease.
While the actual risk is likely very small, I don’t think we should ignore it. My own personal choice is to consume processed meats, including bacon, in moderation.
More tasty stuffed peppers recipes
Mini bell peppers are also great when stuffed, and they’re perfect for those who prefer their food mild rather than spicy. I have two versions that I really like: pizza stuffed mini peppers, and goat cheese stuffed mini peppers.
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
INGREDIENTS
- Olive oil spray
- 4 oz smoked cheddar
- 12 medium jalapeño peppers
- 12 bacon slices, halved crosswise
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and fit it with a wire rack. Lightly spray the rack with olive oil.
- Halve the jalapenos lengthwise and seed them (here’s a good tip on how to do it if you don’t have gloves).
- Cut the cheddar into 24 strips and use them to stuff the seeded jalapeño halves.
- Wrap the bacon pieces around the jalapeños. Arrange, cheese side up, on the wire rack. Lightly spray the jalapenos with olive oil.
- Bake until cheese is melted and lightly browned and bacon is crisp, about 25 minutes. Serve the baked jalapeno poppers immediately and watch them disappear in minutes!
More Healthy Recipes:
Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., has been following a healthy real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She has taken 
